Identifying a Vantage (Matsumoku) Bass

[Brastle54]

Hi everybody! I've been namelessly wandering around the forums for a few days looking at a bit of this and that. Then today, after spending so much time looking into this and returning here, I thought I would just make an account and interact with people!

So, as I often do when I'm first waking up and having coffee, I was skimming through the trash-heap of Craigslist ads for anything decent. Lo and behold I come across a 1979 bass guitar with a CRAZY paint-job and a small price tag. The listing says its a Vantage VS650B. I've spent a bit of time on and off today researching this thing. Here's what I've got:

The Good - The style/font placement on the head is GOOD. It's at least a 1979-1980.
Same goes for the neck panel. The plain style on this one indicates that it's earlier, as the newer models had a flashy logo on them.
As far as I can tell, everything (aside from the paint) looks original. Comes with the original case. Not that cases are ever really worth a lot, but it's a nice little bonus that they are a match.

The BAAAD - I'm going to have to either sell this to an eccentric art collector OR strip the garbage off and make the natural wood look pretty again.
Looks like the pickups got painted over as well... Not quite as sure how to approach that problem.
Truss rod cover is missing AND upon looking over this thing just now it appears that the truss rod is poking out... So this bass might be DOA.
Seller doesn't mention neck condition and there isn't a picture that displays the entire length of the neck... Makes me paranoid that it's bowed to death.
The bass has been posted for about 20 days and the guy seemed pretty quick to go lower than his original price.
And my big final thought on the matter: If this bass was picked to be decommissioned and turned into an art piece, what major flaws did it have? What does the body look like under the paint? HMMMM…..

Unfortunately I very rarely play bass in my musician-ing, so I feel like it would be worth asking this super smart community what everyone thinks about this thing. Is it worth 120 dollars? I'm not looking to make it look pretty again and try to flip it for quick profit. I don't mind putting some time and a tiny ounce of cheap labor into an instrument that can be a quality weapon in my arsenal. But if it's better of as a wall hanging or scrap lumbar, I'd love to know.

Here she is...[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Lownote38]

I have a Vantage acoustic guitar. I love it! I got it new for $99! Strip the paint off that bass you have, and if the wood looks good, just clear coat it. If not, paint it a color you like!

 

[friskinator]

You might be able to find new covers for the pickups. My first bass was just like this (minus the paint job), and it had cream colored pickup covers. Even if the neck is good, getting it back to its natural wood color (with clear coat) is gonna be some work. No telling what's hiding under than paint job. Have you ever refinished a guitar before?

I'd offer the seller $100 tops for it. Much less if the neck is bad.

 

[EVerderame]

there is a guy here on TB which owns 5 of these Vantage.
Baa
the pups doesn't seen painted, but maybe its just the cover. you can just replace them. i wouldn't bother.
i think it is particularly beautiful even with the painting. not for everyone though.
it would be wise to look at it personally before buyin'it

 

[Baa]

It is a Vantage.
The first digit in the serial number says witch year it's from 9=1979, 0=1980, 1=1981 and so on.
Underneath the paintjob it should look
like one of these:

I would strip of the arwork and clearcoat it. The pickup covers can either be replaced or sanded down.
And by the way:
Since yesterday i own six VP710b's

 

[EdO.]

That from the Kansas City CraigsList? It's been on there for way longer than any 20 days, it's been there months I think. If the neck isn't junk and you like a project...

 

[Gdeak]

I haven't played a 650, but I have a Japanese 820 - I think it was top of the line from the Japanese factory. It's a really good instrument from the era: playability and sound are easily up to snuff with modern instruments in the $400-$600 range. As a point of comparison: when I bought it I happily sold my FAR INFERIOR Gibson Grabber to a friend. Now I regret that NOT because I'd ever play the Grabber over the Vantage, but because the Grabber'd be worth about $1000 (Gibson basses are really over-valued IMO). Oh well. The 820 series has a P/J arrangement, and the only work I've had to do in 25+ years is to swap out the bridge pup (I put in an Area J, which sounds fine but not especially better than the stock pup). The twin-P p'up arrangement of the 650 is pretty distinctive, though I don't love the look. But I'd be curious to hear the sound of one of those next to the 820.